6/7/2020
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no sufficient evidence was adduced by the prosecution hence, appellant could not be
held criminally liable.
The dispositive part of the RTC's Joint Decision reads:
WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, judgment is hereby rendered
finding accused GILDA ABELLANOSA guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the
violation of Sec. 6(m) in relation to Sec. 7 of R.A. 8042 otherwise known as
the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, in Criminal Cases
Nos. 47984, 47985, 47987, 47988, 47989, 47990 and 47991 and hereby
sentences her to serve the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) in each of these aforementioned
criminal cases.
The accused is further ordered to pay actual damages [to] the following
private complainants:
1. Gephre
Pomar
2. Timogen
Pastolero
3. Zeno M.
Catedral
4. Cecilia Orias
.....
5. Janet
Suobiron
6. Nenita
Bueron
7. Elsie Pelipog
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
Five thousand five hundred
pesos (P5,500.00);
Five thousand five hundred
pesos (P5,500.00);
Twenty thousand pesos
(P20,000.00);
Ten thousand pesos
(P10,000.00);
Ten thousand pesos
(P10,000.00);
Five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00);
Twelve thousand pesos
(P12,000.00).
However, for failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused
beyond reasonable doubt in Crim. Case No. 47986, judgment is hereby
rendered acquitting her of the crime charged therein.
The accused is entitled to the privileges under Art. 29 of the Revised Penal
Code.
SO ORDERED.[12]
Aggrieved by the RTC's Decision, appellant appealed to the CA.
Ruling of the Court of Appeals
On March 19, 2014, the CA affirmed the RTC's Decision and held as follows:
WHEREFORE, in light of the foregoing, the appeal is DENIED. The Joint
Decision of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 38, 6th Judicial Region,
elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/63211
Iloilo
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